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TORRINGTON — In the city's first and only mayoral debate before the Nov. 5 election, the Democratic and Republican candidates set themselves miles apart in their stance on the city's tax collection system.

Republican Elinor C. Carbone, a City Council member who voted in 2011 to renew Tax Collector Robert T. Crovo's contract, stood by the city's choice then to continue with a private tax collector and laid out financial reasons as for why it should continue.

Democrat George Craig, a political newcomer and businessman, said ongoing problems between the city and tax collector and public concerns over customer service and hassles to obtain overpayments, are reason to create a municipal tax office.

Citing an ongoing legal battle between Crovo and the city, and a forthcoming $99,000 forensic audit of tax office records, Craig, in response to the evening's first question, said the time is now to change ways. The city has had a private tax collector since it was chartered in 1923.

"There is no coming back from this dilemma," he said. "We must break ties from this tax collector."

Carbone, 56, said the city's guarantee of 100 percent of the annual tax levy, about $81.4 million, is unmatched in municipalities across the state, which see 98 percent collections at best. For Torrington a 98 percent collection rate would be about $79.4 million, or about $1.6 million less, and does not account for paying office staff.

"I feel on balance our tax collector's office has to, must, treat our taxpayers with dignity and respect," she said. "The refund policies and procedures must be streamlined and expedited. I am willing as your mayor to step in and make sure those processes and procedures are being adhered to."

Carbone said as mayor she would push for overpayments to be handled by the city and returned to taxpayers.

Carbone asked Craig if he would be willing to forego 32 teachers to cover the deficit caused by switching to a municipal tax collector. Craig, 62, said he would not. He would look elsewhere in the budget for cuts.

The Republican-American and the Warner Theatre sponsored the debate, which took place on stage before an audience of about 225 in the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. Executive Editor Jonathon F. Kellogg moderated.

The candidates agreed city residents should vote at a referendum to refurbish the leaky East School at a cost of between $6.2 and $8.4 million and that the mayor should take an active role in the Board of Education. Under the City Charter, the mayor is an ex-officio member of the board.

Carbone, who served six years on the school board, said her experience would help her be a voice at the table and a communicator between the Board of Education and the city. "The mayor has to be an influence on our education system," Carbone said.

Both candidates said they would hire a new economic development director, but would take the lead when meeting with prospective businesses. They split on their focus. Craig said he would focus on new business and Carbone said she would focus efforts on nurturing businesses that are already in town.

Craig said because of concerns raised by downtown merchants, Main Street Marketplace should continue, but be changed to Sundays and take place farther up Main Street near the Torrington Historical Society. Carbone said the marketplace creates a sense of community and the weekly event could be tweaked to fit needs of merchants by reaching out to businesses. "That foot traffic is the best advertisement you can ask for," she said. "I see the value of this event as being more attractive to businesses that may be looking at the quality of life in a community."

Craig said he wants to see UConn Torrington offer classes downtown to increase foot traffic. Carbone said the city should be proud of UConn's campus, which soon will celebrate its 50th anniversary, but there should be more public awareness. "We should embrace that the campus exists," she said. "It is a beautiful campus."

Jacque Williams, a write-in candidate who is unaffiliated, said the Republican-versus-Democrat debate exposed the problems with a two-party system. "It limits the perspectives and it limits the views," he said.

Williams, who is co-chairman of the city's Arts and Culture Commission that oversees Main Street Marketplace, said moving the event to Sunday is a bad idea. Other than slight changes to location, he said it should continue as is.

Williams, who is black, said a question posed by the city's Young Democrats about why there is little minority representation on boards and commissioners was not fully addressed by either candidate.

Carbone said there should be outreach through social media and a website. Craig used himself as an example of someone who wasn't involved until he ran for office. He found the Democrats' website and sent an email.

Williams said if those involved in city politics would only look out in the community they would find qualified minority candidates who would step up to the plate. "That comes from a lack of outreach," he said.

Craig said his newness to politics and business experience make him the best candidate. "I am the candidate to move Torrington forward," he said. "I am not entrenched in politics. I owe no one any favors."

Carbone said her decade of experience on the school board and council put her in a good position to step into the office. "I view my candidacy as mayor as a logical extension of my service to my hometown," she said.

Contact Alec Johnson at ajohnson@rep-am.com, on Facebook at RA Torrington or on Twitter @RA_Alec.

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